Fire department teaches kids safety

Glassman talks to students at Madison Elementary about fire safety. Students were able to go inside of a trailer and simulate crawling out in case of a fire.

Madison’s Fire Department is doing its part to raise awareness for Fire Prevention Month.

David Glassman, the emergency operations manager for the fire department, has been visiting elementary schools all week, teaching students what to do in case of a fire at home.

“The point is to get that information out to the kids so they can bring it home to their parents,” Glassman said. “We cover 6,000 kids, and the response we’re getting is overwhelming. They are checking smoke detectors and making sure they are working properly.”

Glassman said the department’s goal is to have working smoke detectors in all Madison residences.

“The best way to do that is with the kids,” he said. “After we talk to them, they get all excited about it and go home and bug their parents about smoke detectors, which is great.”

Glassman and his crew gave a tour of a fire truck to students at Madison Elementary Oct. 20, before taking them inside of a trailer, where fake smoke consumes the room, and the kids have to crawl out.

“They are experiencing the live feel of a fire,” he said.

Madison Elementary is the sixth school Glassman and his crew visited. He said it takes two days to cover each school.

“Fire safety education is very important to all students,” said PTA President Daphne Drinkard, who was also at the school for the simulation. “They’ll know how to prepare themselves and they can teach their families what to do in case of an emergency.”

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sponsors Fire Prevention Week Oct. 3 through Oct. 9. Glassman said the fire department decided to make it a month-long cause because of the amount of schools needed to be covered.

Glassman said if anyone needs a smoke detector, call 256-772-5692, and he will help out any way he can.